Value Of Satsang

By Goda Venkateswara Sastrigal
The company of learned and virtuous people (Satsang) is what we should seek. Just being in their company, rids us of our ignorance (agnana). Gnanis do not indulge in unnecessary talk. They discuss only matters relating to the atma. They speak the truth, and thus we too imbibe the quality of honesty.

Honesty, in turn, confers peace of mind on us. One who utters lies can know no peace. He is always in a state of agitation, for fear that he might be found out. To cover up one lie, he utters another, and thus he is caught in a cycle of lies, from which he cannot get out of. Our association with gnanis also earns for us the respect of society. If we count the learned as our friends, then that says a lot about our own good qualities.

Gnanis help us in ways we cannot even think of. There was a poor man who, every day, provided food to a gnani engaged in penance. One day, the poor man had to perform his father's death anniversary, but he had no money to perform the rituals. His wife asked him to approach the gnani for help. The gnani, being a man of God, had no money to give the poor man. All he had was an ash gourd, which he gave to the poor man. Obviously, the vegetable was going to be of no use to the man in conducting his father's death anniversary. So he laid it aside and managed to go ahead with what little money he had.

The gourd shrivelled up after some days. The poor man's wife cut open the gourd to see if something could be salvaged, and inside the gourd she found diamonds. The gnani had not put the diamonds there. How could he, when he had nothing to call his own? But such was the power of the gnani's penance that the poor man had been rewarded for serving the gnani throughout the year.

Our minds are constantly in a state of worry and confusion because of the pressures of life. This confusion is wiped out when we are with gnanis. We are no longer faced with dilemmas, for now decision-making becomes easier for us, since we think clearly. Since gnanis always speak only about the scriptures, and of matters pertaining to the atma, we derive mental strength from their words.

Hanuman Jayanthi 2011

Yatra yatra raghunatha kirtanam;
Tatra tatra kritha masthakanjalim;
Bhaspavaari paripurna lochanam;
Maarutim namata raakshasanthakam

Meaning : "We bow to Maruti, Sri Hanuman, who stands with his palms folded above his forehead, with a torrent of tears flowing down his eyes wherever the Names of Lord Rama are sung".

Sri Hanuman is worshipped all over India-either alone or together with Sri Rama. Every temple of Sri Rama has the murti or idol of Sri Hanuman. Hanuman is the Avatara of Lord Shiva. He was born of the Wind-God and Anjani Devi. His other names are Pavanasuta, Marutsuta, Pavankumar, Bajrangabali and Mahavira.

He is the living embodiment of Ram-Nam. He was an ideal selfless worker, a true Karma Yogi who worked desirelessly and dynamically. He was a great devotee and an exceptional Brahmachari or celibate. He served Sri Rama with pure love and devotion, without expecting any fruit in return. He lived to serve Sri Rama. He was humble, brave and wise. He possessed all the divine virtues. He did what others could not do-crossing the ocean simply by uttering Ram-Nam, burning the city of Lanka, and bringing the sanjeevini herb and restoring Lakshmana to life again. He brought Sri Rama and Lakshmana from the nether world after killing Ahiravana.

He had devotion, knowledge, spirit of selfless service, power of celibacy, and desirelessness. He never boasted of his bravery and intelligence.

He said to Ravana, "I am a humble messenger of Sri Rama. I have come here to serve Rama, to do His work. By the command of Lord Rama, I have come here. I am fearless by the Grace of Lord Rama. I am not afraid of death. I welcome it if it comes while serving Lord Rama."

Mark here how humble Hanuman was! How very devoted he was to Lord Rama! He never said, "I am the brave Hanuman. I can do anything and everything."

Lord Rama Himself said to Sri Hanuman, "I am greatly indebted to you, O mighty hero! You did marvellous, superhuman deeds. You do not want anything in return. Sugriva has his kingdom restored to him. Angada has been made the crown prince. Vibhishana has become king of Lanka. But you have not asked for anything at any time. You threw away the precious garland of pearls given to you by Sita. How can I repay My debt of gratitude to you? I will always remain deeply indebted to you. I give you the boon of everlasting life. All will honour and worship you like Myself. Your murti will be placed at the door of My temple and you will be worshipped and honoured first. Whenever My stories are recited or glories sung, your glory will be sung before Mine. You will be able to do anything, even that which I will not be able to!"

Thus did Lord Rama praise Hanuman when the latter returned to Him after finding Sita in Lanka. Hanuman was not a bit elated. He fell in prostration at the holy feet of Lord Rama.

Lord Rama asked him, "O mighty hero, how did you cross the ocean?"

Hanuman humbly replied, "By the power and glory of Thy Name, my Lord."

Again the Lord asked, "How did you burn Lanka? How did you save yourself?"

And Hanuman replied, "By Thy Grace, my Lord."

What humility Sri Hanuman embodied!


On this holy day worship Sri Hanuman. Fast on this day. Read the Hanuman Chalisa. Spend the whole day in the Japa of Ram-Nam. Sri Hanuman will be highly pleased and will bless you with success in all your undertakings.

Glory to Hanuman! Glory to his Lord, Sri Rama!